How often should you actually detail your car?

"How often should I get my car detailed?" is one of the questions we get most. The honest answer is that it depends on how you use the car and where you park it - but there's a sensible rhythm most owners can follow.

Think of detailing in two layers: regular maintenance to keep the car looking good and stop damage building up and occasional deep work like paint correction or a ceramic coating that resets and protects.

A sensible maintenance rhythm

For most daily-driven cars in Melbourne's south-east, we suggest:

• Every 4 to 8 weeks - a maintenance detail to keep contaminants off the paint and the cabin fresh.
• Every 6 to 12 months - a more thorough interior and exterior detail, especially before summer sun and after winter grime.
• Every few years or once - paint correction and a ceramic coating to reset the finish and make everything above far easier.

What happens if you leave it too long

Contaminants like bird droppings, tree sap and industrial fallout are acidic. Left on hot paint, they etch into the clear coat - and once that happens, a wash won't fix it; it needs correction or worse, if left too late, a correction won't be able to bring it back and needs to be repainted. Interiors are the same story: spills and dust that sit for months become stains and odours that are much harder (and more expensive) to remove than if they'd been dealt with early.

The shortcut: protect it once

This is exactly why a ceramic coating is such good value. A coated car resists those contaminants, sheds dirt and washes far more easily - so your maintenance intervals get easier and your paint stays protected for years rather than weeks.

If you're not sure where your car sits, just ask. We'll take a look and tell you honestly what it needs - and what it doesn't.